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August 7, 2019 |
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
Have you ever felt broken?
Our daughter broke her arm when she was 2 years old. She fell from our bed while we were folding laundry and landed with a sickening thud. The scream that followed is still fresh in our minds 15 years later. The doctor wrapped her arm in a bright purple cast, and for a few days she took it easy, allowing herself to heal. But before too long, she was climbing the top of the playground with determination, her arm still wrapped inside its cast.
Within weeks, she was back on the monkey bars, swinging by her once-broken arm. When my husband and I saw her, we gasped and ran toward her, certain she couldn’t withstand the movement. But she did. Her arm was strong and solid, and she was smiling. That which was once broken was now healed.
The funny thing about healing is that something healed still holds the memory of its former brokenness. I still have a nasty scar of my own that serves as a reminder of an accident I experienced decades ago. The pain will always be part of my memory, but a miraculous healing has taken its place.
Adoption is like our daughter’s broken bone. It starts with separation and brokenness, but with time, healing can take place (though admittedly, it doesn’t always). In our 17 years as a foster and adoptive family, we have learned about brokenness in a way that nearly ripped our hearts in two.
We’ve seen biological families restored and become stronger and more stable with deeper roots. We’ve also witnessed families separate, leaving children to join an entirely new family, whose roots must split to welcome the wounded child. Through it all, we have seen the amazing capacity for healing that humans possess. In both situations the brokenness remains, yet healing happens around the break.
Part of our role as foster and adoptive parents is to assist in a child’s healing. We provide a soft place to land, a listening ear, stability, openness and patience.
Our key verse, Isaiah 53:5, reminds us that Jesus Christ knew brokenness firsthand. Scripture tells us He “was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Christ’s submission to becoming broken led to the healing of our wounds. Brokenness was not the end of the story for Jesus, and through Him, neither is it the end of our story!
Through Jesus Christ, we can experience physical, emotional and spiritual healing. And though the pain may still be a part of our memory, Revelation 21:4 says that one day, “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (NIV). A day is coming when we will be fully healed from our brokenness and pain will be wiped from our memory.
What a beautiful reminder that we should never be ashamed of our own brokenness and healing, because it is through that very brokenness and healing that we can encourage others.
Lord, please guide us as we open ourselves up to others. We know there will be pain in this life, but we also know that You are the ultimate healer of our wounds. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 53:10, “But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.” (NLT)
1 Corinthians 15:43, “Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.” (NLT)
RELATED RESOURCES:
If you’re considering adoption or foster care (or are already somewhere in this difficult and complicated process), you need trusted information from people who have been where you are. In their new book Honestly Adoption, Mike and Kristin Berry answer 101 questions that parents (and prospective parents) have about supporting adopted and foster children well.
CONNECT:
On their blog and podcast, Mike and Kristin Berry and their team share weekly encouragement, insights and resources to help foster, adoptive and special-needs parents.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Honestly Adoption, by Mike and Kristin Berry. To celebrate this book, Harvest House is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify each one in the comments section by Monday, August 12, 2019.}
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What is one way you can open yourself up to helping others heal?
© 2019 by Kristin Berry. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Harvest House Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.
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